QMA INSULIN ADMINISTRATION EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
QMA INDIANA
1. Question:
What is the primary purpose of administering insulin?
A. To lower blood pressure
B. To manage blood glucose levels
C. To increase appetite
D. To relieve pain
Answer:
B. To manage blood glucose levels
Rationale:
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels, making it essential for managing
diabetes.
2. Question:
Which type of insulin has a rapid onset of action and is typically given before meals?
A. Long-acting insulin
B. Intermediate-acting insulin
C. Rapid-acting insulin
D. Pre-mixed insulin
Answer:
C. Rapid-acting insulin
Rationale:
Rapid-acting insulins, such as insulin lispro or aspart, are designed for quick absorption and
are often administered just before meals to control postprandial blood sugar levels.
3. Question:
What is the recommended site for subcutaneous insulin injection?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Abdomen
C. Thigh
, D. Gluteal muscle
Answer:
B. Abdomen
Rationale:
The abdomen is preferred for subcutaneous insulin injections because it allows for faster
absorption compared to other sites. Rotating injection sites within the abdomen is also
recommended to prevent lipodystrophy.
4. Question:
What is the correct technique for mixing insulin if both types (regular and NPH) are
required?
A. Draw up the NPH insulin first, then the regular insulin
B. Draw up the regular insulin first, then the NPH insulin
C. Shake the vials vigorously before mixing
D. Mix the insulins in the same vial
Answer:
B. Draw up the regular insulin first, then the NPH insulin
Rationale:
To prevent contamination of the regular insulin with NPH, always draw up the regular insulin
first (clear solution) and then the NPH insulin (cloudy solution).
5. Question:
What should a QMA do if a patient has hypoglycemic symptoms after receiving insulin?
A. Administer more insulin
B. Provide the patient with a fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Give the patient a high-fat snack
D. Ignore the symptoms
Answer:
B. Provide the patient with a fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale:
Hypoglycemic symptoms can be treated with fast-acting carbohydrates (like juice or glucose
tablets) to quickly raise blood sugar levels.
6. Question:
,Which of the following is a common side effect of insulin therapy?
A. Weight gain
B. Dehydration
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer:
A. Weight gain
Rationale:
Insulin therapy can lead to weight gain as it promotes glucose uptake into cells and can
stimulate appetite.
7. Question:
What is the ideal storage temperature for unopened insulin vials?
A. Room temperature
B. Freezer
C. Refrigerator
D. Above 30°C (86°F)
Answer:
C. Refrigerator
Rationale:
Unopened insulin vials should be stored in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C or 36°F to 46°F) to
maintain stability and potency.
8. Question:
What should a QMA instruct a patient to do before an insulin injection?
A. Drink a glass of water
B. Check their blood glucose level
C. Avoid eating for several hours
D. Exercise immediately
Answer:
B. Check their blood glucose level
Rationale:
Checking blood glucose levels before administering insulin helps determine the appropriate
dosage needed to manage blood sugar effectively.
, 9. Question:
What is the main reason for rotating insulin injection sites?
A. To increase insulin absorption
B. To prevent injection site reactions
C. To keep the patient comfortable
D. To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia
Answer:
B. To prevent injection site reactions
Rationale:
Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy (thickening or thinning of skin) and
ensures consistent absorption of insulin.
10. Question:
When should a QMA administer insulin if the patient is scheduled for a meal at 12:00 PM?
A. 10:30 AM
B. 11:00 AM
C. 11:30 AM
D. 12:00 PM
Answer:
C. 11:30 AM
Rationale:
Insulin is usually administered about 30 minutes before a meal to allow for peak action
during meal absorption.
11. Question:
What is the purpose of a sliding scale insulin regimen?
A. To provide a fixed dose of insulin regardless of blood glucose levels
B. To adjust insulin doses based on current blood glucose readings
C. To completely eliminate the need for blood glucose monitoring
D. To administer insulin only during meals
Answer:
B. To adjust insulin doses based on current blood glucose readings
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
QMA INDIANA
1. Question:
What is the primary purpose of administering insulin?
A. To lower blood pressure
B. To manage blood glucose levels
C. To increase appetite
D. To relieve pain
Answer:
B. To manage blood glucose levels
Rationale:
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels, making it essential for managing
diabetes.
2. Question:
Which type of insulin has a rapid onset of action and is typically given before meals?
A. Long-acting insulin
B. Intermediate-acting insulin
C. Rapid-acting insulin
D. Pre-mixed insulin
Answer:
C. Rapid-acting insulin
Rationale:
Rapid-acting insulins, such as insulin lispro or aspart, are designed for quick absorption and
are often administered just before meals to control postprandial blood sugar levels.
3. Question:
What is the recommended site for subcutaneous insulin injection?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Abdomen
C. Thigh
, D. Gluteal muscle
Answer:
B. Abdomen
Rationale:
The abdomen is preferred for subcutaneous insulin injections because it allows for faster
absorption compared to other sites. Rotating injection sites within the abdomen is also
recommended to prevent lipodystrophy.
4. Question:
What is the correct technique for mixing insulin if both types (regular and NPH) are
required?
A. Draw up the NPH insulin first, then the regular insulin
B. Draw up the regular insulin first, then the NPH insulin
C. Shake the vials vigorously before mixing
D. Mix the insulins in the same vial
Answer:
B. Draw up the regular insulin first, then the NPH insulin
Rationale:
To prevent contamination of the regular insulin with NPH, always draw up the regular insulin
first (clear solution) and then the NPH insulin (cloudy solution).
5. Question:
What should a QMA do if a patient has hypoglycemic symptoms after receiving insulin?
A. Administer more insulin
B. Provide the patient with a fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Give the patient a high-fat snack
D. Ignore the symptoms
Answer:
B. Provide the patient with a fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale:
Hypoglycemic symptoms can be treated with fast-acting carbohydrates (like juice or glucose
tablets) to quickly raise blood sugar levels.
6. Question:
,Which of the following is a common side effect of insulin therapy?
A. Weight gain
B. Dehydration
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer:
A. Weight gain
Rationale:
Insulin therapy can lead to weight gain as it promotes glucose uptake into cells and can
stimulate appetite.
7. Question:
What is the ideal storage temperature for unopened insulin vials?
A. Room temperature
B. Freezer
C. Refrigerator
D. Above 30°C (86°F)
Answer:
C. Refrigerator
Rationale:
Unopened insulin vials should be stored in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C or 36°F to 46°F) to
maintain stability and potency.
8. Question:
What should a QMA instruct a patient to do before an insulin injection?
A. Drink a glass of water
B. Check their blood glucose level
C. Avoid eating for several hours
D. Exercise immediately
Answer:
B. Check their blood glucose level
Rationale:
Checking blood glucose levels before administering insulin helps determine the appropriate
dosage needed to manage blood sugar effectively.
, 9. Question:
What is the main reason for rotating insulin injection sites?
A. To increase insulin absorption
B. To prevent injection site reactions
C. To keep the patient comfortable
D. To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia
Answer:
B. To prevent injection site reactions
Rationale:
Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy (thickening or thinning of skin) and
ensures consistent absorption of insulin.
10. Question:
When should a QMA administer insulin if the patient is scheduled for a meal at 12:00 PM?
A. 10:30 AM
B. 11:00 AM
C. 11:30 AM
D. 12:00 PM
Answer:
C. 11:30 AM
Rationale:
Insulin is usually administered about 30 minutes before a meal to allow for peak action
during meal absorption.
11. Question:
What is the purpose of a sliding scale insulin regimen?
A. To provide a fixed dose of insulin regardless of blood glucose levels
B. To adjust insulin doses based on current blood glucose readings
C. To completely eliminate the need for blood glucose monitoring
D. To administer insulin only during meals
Answer:
B. To adjust insulin doses based on current blood glucose readings
